California State University-Monterey Bay Reviews

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Pauline from Whittier, CA

01/17/2010

Reviewer is A current student here.

26 out of 27 people found this review useful.
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Great for these types of students

This school has wonderful programs for many majors and/or minors. There will be a right school for you.

Tips for prospective students

You will not be on your own just because your parents are not here. (That is if you plan to live in the dorms.) Many people will be willing to be friends and help you out. But, you should learn how to wash laundry!

Bang for the buck

The dorms are quite comfortable and are getting worked on more and more. Transportation is easy and there is even an open gym. Food is also homemade. There is a kitchen in every dorm for your own cooking.

Am enjoying being here

It is a beautiful campus with many things to do on a free day. There are many people willing to help with any problem.

Am learning a lot

The classes are not too large so the teachers have more one-on-one time with their students. The only problem are furlough days that take away more time to learn.

Emma from Sacramento, CA

01/04/2011

Reviewer is A current student here.

11 out of 11 people found this review useful.
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Great for these types of students

This college is very laid back, so I recommend this campus to easy going people and people that are easily able to adjust to new environments. It's a fairly small place that's easily adaptable. So if you're looking for a school that's not too big or small this could be what you're looking for.

Tips for prospective students

ORGANIZE and PRIORITIZE!!!!! This is very important. The college experience may be very overwhelming the first year and you will for sure slack off in one of these two things. Take some time and make sure you have all your papers in order and you have enough time to get everything done.

Bang for the buck

I definitely think that you're getting what you paid for. The scenery is wonderful, the classes are fun and interesting, there's a whole bunch of things to do, and everyone is super nice. Overall, this is a great university to go to.

Am enjoying being here

The campus is absolutely beatuiful. The students, teachers, and other campus workers are very friendly and easy to get along with. The school beach is about 20 minutes away walking and it serves as a great escape when you're having a rough day or just a great way to hang out with friends.

Am learning a lot

In every class you take you learn something new. The classes are, for the most part, small and easy to focus and pay attention in. The professors are very approachable and are willing to help you in any way possible.

Ken from Beverly Hills, CA

09/03/2012

Reviewer is A current student here.

9 out of 9 people found this review useful.
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Campus Safety

The school has a police force that routinely makes sure everything is going well around the campus. Emergency buttons are located around the school, with a response time of around 60 seconds when activated.

Clubs and Activities

Many clubs are offered at CSUMB. The school also has a small venue called the Black Box Cabaret (BBC), which is basically a small club. The school also has a theater, sports center, and an aquatics center.

Great for these types of students

Students who want to meet easy going people, live in a suburban area, and experience college in a setting that is unlike any other.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

CSUMB is located on what used to be Fort Ord, a now decommissioned army base. Some abandoned building are still on campus, but are off limits to students.

Bang for the buck

CSUMB has a low tuition compared to most UCs or other CSUs. You will definitely save a great deal of money by coming to CSUMB, all without sacrificing anything or receiving a low quality education.

What to do for fun

CSUMB is only a short bus ride away from the nearby town of Monterey, and even closer are the towns Seaside, Sand City, Marina, and Salinas. Getting to these locations by bus is free for students, as long as they show their student ID.

Food and Dining

The main places to eat on campus are the dining commons, and the otter express, with most people going to the dining commons for their meals. The DC serves good food, but it starts to get repetitive after a while. If coming to CSUMB, think about getting a mini fridge and buying your own food to change up your meals.

Dorm Life

Dorms can range from one to four people per room. Some dorms have their own bathrooms, while other dorms share bathrooms with neighboring rooms. Some building are recently constructed, while others are renovated from old officer's quarters (as this school is on what used to be an old army base).

Academic Rigor

Most class sizes are small, with about 30 students per class. There is only one lecture hall on campus, but it is still small compared to some other universities. Many teachers are extremely helpful, and want their students to succeed in their classes. However, expect to put in effort to pass your classes.

Tips for prospective students

The weather can range from occasionally sunny to a dreary fog that covers the entire campus. Usually cloudy, the temperature is around 50-60 degrees Fahrenheit. Be prepared for the cold weather! Also, try to avoid the raccoons that come out at night.

In three sentences

CSUMB is located just north of Monterey, California. The school is about 5 minutes away from the ocean, and offers a laid back setting. CSUMB has a small campus, with around 5,000 students in attendance.

Mayra from Castroville, CA

If you like a quite campus, away from the cities. If you like the outdoors or living close to the Bay. If you like small classrooms.

Am enjoying being here

Nice campus, can walk to your classes easily.

Am learning a lot

Most of the classrooms are small/average size about 40 students usually, depending on the students enrolled in that class. It is great because is the same few people and you can get the teacher's attention quick. You can socialize with the professors and the students and feel comfortable right away. Thus, focusing and enjoying the learning experience rather than worrying about fitting in.

Isabelle from Brea, CA

09/20/2013

Reviewer is A current student here.

6 out of 6 people found this review useful.
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Campus Safety

There are police everywhere (so don't have a party on campus). Not only are there campus police, but CSUMB is partly in Seaside, and partly in Marina. This means both city's police are patrolling campus. This is great however, for feeling safe. I have never felt concerned walking alone, even at night. If you do, we have a night-walk service that you can call and they will walk you to wherever you are headed.

Greek Life

Basically non-existent, unless you are hispanic.

Clubs and Activities

There are some on-campus clubs, but nothing compared to a larger school. A lot of them also don't regularly meet, or actually do much even if they do meet.

Great for these types of students

People who want a college education for a comparatively small price, people who are laid back, like the beach, skateboarding, small town feel, or marine science.

Bang for the buck

This is one of the cheapest Cal States, which are cheap in general. And for that price you get small class sizes and spacious dorms. Even though I don't love the school, it is a value that is hard to beat.

What to do for fun

Well, the beach is like a mile away, and then you can always go into downtown Monterey which is about 15 minutes away in a car. Downtown has some great little coffee shops and parks and stuff. My favorite place is the East Village Coffee Lounge. There's also the Wharf, and Cannery Row, which are the tourist places, but still beautiful. Taking the 17 mile drive is fun once or twice in Carmel, as well as if you like high-end shopping downtown Carmel can make for a nice afternoon. If you are looking for a campus that has a lot of on-campus events, or parties, then I would suggest choosing a different school. I was shocked at how sleepy the campus is.

Food and Dining

There are three actual campus eateries, and then two coffee shops. The all-you-can-eat buffet style eating is at the Dining Commons. It gets old reeeaaallly fast. Then there is the Otter Express, which is more grab-and-go style. This is pretty good. Then there is the Otter Bay Resteraunt, which is a sit-down place that still accepts your dining plan. Overall, the food gets old quickly and lacks many healthy options. Watch out for that Freshman 15.

Dorm Life

I would say the dorms are probably the biggest draw of this campus. Being renovated army barracks, they all have individual bathrooms, and are significantly bigger than freshman dorms at other campuses. The social life? It is what you make it, I suppose. If you like to smoke weed or hookah, you will definitely find a large group of friends that are willing to do that stuff with you. If you want to sit in your dorm all day and enjoy peace and quiet, you can do that too (for the most part). If you don't fit into those two categories (like myself) it can be a lot harder to adjust to life in the dorms.

Academic Rigor

While I am a freshman so I have not taken any upper division courses, this school is very simple. Due to AP tests, I am almost at sophomore standing, so I am in several 200-level courses this year, and they have not been hard.

Tips for prospective students

Stay on top of your school work, because it takes a lot of self motivation to stay on track when those around you aren't. This is a great place to strive to be at the top of your class. If you got above 1800 on the SAT, that is a definite possibility if you are willing to work just a little bit harder than the other students. Also, respond to professors emails, and go to their office hours. These things will set you apart. Also, bring a car. The campus is set away from everything, which makes public transportation a hassle.

In three sentences

It is a great school for some, but not for all. It is slow-paced, and not many people are that driven academically. If you want small class sizes, bonfires on the beach, and C students everywhere that like to smoke, this is the place for you.

MEET THE DEADLINES! fill out the fafsa, go to on a tour, go to open house, talk to people that go here!

Bang for the buck

csumb is one of the cheapest CSU's in the state... who can argue with that? :)

Am enjoying being here

The social life is great as well, this school has a small town feel where even if you don't know someone, its okay to just strike up a conversation. every one is laid back and friendly, and there is always something to do whether it be a movie on Tuesday night at the world theater (it's free for students! and they play new movies that are still in the cinema!) or taking a walk down to the beach! I love love love it here :)

Am learning a lot

I am in my first semester at California State University of Monterey Bay... And I am LOVING it! I am taking 15 units this semester. All my classes are general education classes right now. I am pursuing my degree in SBS (social and behavioral sciences) with emphasis on Social Sciences. My dream is to eventually become a history teacher. CSUMB is really great at being able to help you target your goals, and they are with you every step of the way trying to reach those goals. The teachers make themselves super available, and are more than willing to give you one on one time.The class size is small so you will always be taught by the teacher, not a TA. most of the time the teacher wants you to call them by their first name which is AWESOME! They make ample time to meet with you one on one if you need to, which makes it super easy if you have any kind of question. some teachers even give you their cell number!

Hailey from Surprise, AZ

04/23/2012

Reviewer is A current student here.

3 out of 3 people found this review useful.
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Campus Safety

CSUMB is a relatively safe university, NightWalk services are available through campus security if you have late night classes and have to walk to and from your dorm. There are also blue emergency kiosks placed throughout the campus in case of emergencies. Students usually don't here about crime on campus. Students and faculty on campus are generally really friendly, with my experience you can leave your cell phone at the school gym and come back to find it was returned to the front desk.

Greek Life

There is a lot of Greek life on campus. Kappa Sigma and Sigma Theta Psi are just two of the many sororities and fraternities students can become a part of.

Clubs and Activities

There are a lot of clubs and activities on campus that you can be involved in. There are clubs for virtually any student with a specific interest. And if you cannot find the club or activity that you are interested in, you can make one!

Great for these types of students

Great for students who don't want to go to a huge school, who like a small campus community, and who like innovative learning!

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

The abandoned barracks are locations for students to go ording or ghost hunting around campus.

Bang for the buck

I think over-all, this university does a lot for what you pay for. You will get a quality education and a well-rounded one at that.

What to do for fun

Going to the beach, CSU Monterey Bay is right on the shore so there are a lot of fun activities to do there. Downtown Monterey is also a fun attraction, the Monterey Bay Aquarium and Cannery Row are very popular hang out spots for students.

Food and Dining

The dining on campus is run through Sodexo. Sodexo is not very popular on our campus due to over-priced foods, and under-paid workers. All students that live on campus are required to have a meal plan, which is a waste of money in my opinion, because most students don't like to eat on campus, but are forced to by the hefty meal plans.

Dorm Life

Dorm life is pretty good on campus. There are more housing options than other CSU's and the dorms are quite spacious and have a lot of free amenities. Free wi-fi, cable, kitchen, and laundry services.

Academic Rigor

A lot of classes at CSU Monterey Bay have either hands on or experimental curriculum. Each class has a set of learning outcomes that each student is expected to fulfill. The course difficulty really depends on your major.

Tips for prospective students

Get involved! There are clubs on campus, but it is still a small CSU, so you must get involved as much as possible if you are a very social person.

In three sentences

California State University is a young university with a lot of potential. The small class sizes and comfortable on campus living arrangements make up for the under-developed area that is previously known as Fort Ord. The dining facilities and parking are extremely over-priced in many students eyes, and also the lack of foreign language options are key issues regarding this school.

Gina from Seaside, CA

Outdoors, community based, and environmentally based students should highly consider.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

Raccoons are our animal you could say because there everywhere. Everyone always tells you beware of the racoons.

Bang for the buck

Not as expensive as most colleges and the education and small class sizes make it all the more reason to attend.

What to do for fun

If you love the outdoors, this is the location. Its all about location. Hiking, sailing, motor sports, camping, diving, snorkeling, bonfires, etc.

Food and Dining

Some who say our food is the best around. Some would say our food is ok. But its never been bad. We even have a bar on campus.

Tips for prospective students

Apply early. Apply for all scholarships. Work hard. Those three go with every college you pursue.

In three sentences

This establishment is located in one of the most beautiful scenic areas around. If your into marine science or environmental justice, this is the perfect school for you. I am proud to say I attend CSUMB.

Due to furlough days, the tuition has gone up a bit, but if you've got the money, hey why not?

Will enjoy being here

If you're like me, a small town girl at heart, you'll definitely enjoy being here. A lot of people that I've talked to have described the campus as beautiful and friendly. The university resides in Seaside, a not-so-big city, in Central California.

Will learn a lot

From the reviews that I've read, it seems like students learn a lot because the student to teacher ratio is larger than that of other schools; meaning that there are less students per teacher than a typical university would allot.

Alyssa from Modesto, CA

Know what you want from a school. If you want a secluded, quiet area then this is for you. But if you like a lot of action and city life...this may not be the best choice for you!

Bang for the buck

This is just a personal experience, but my grants were taken away from me when I started to go here and so I would not say that this has been positive budget-wise.

Am enjoying being here

The area is beautiful, but there isn't much to do. The school is secluded from anything but itself and things close early because mainly older people occupy the area.

Am learning a lot

They encourage you to take less classes your first semester, but I feel like this semester has been a waste because of the lack of classes in my schedule. My classes are easy and don't challenge me at all.

Jessica from San Diego, CA

12/02/2011

Reviewer is A current student here.

2 out of 2 people found this review useful.
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Great for these types of students

This school is great for students who don’t mind a tight-knit community; its perfect for students who want a community and student driven campus. If you like the beach you will love it here, lets face it, who doesn’t want to be 10 minutes walking distance from the great Pacific? If you want to learn how to apply what you learn in the classroom to your community, there are plenty of opportunities to do that here!

Tips for prospective students

Do well in high school, but don’t kill yourself over it. Ask people who’ve been there and done that about hard questions you have about life. Your mind is capable of more than you know. Shoot for a school that’s in your price range, but don’t be afraid to be in debt, in 2010 students that graduated a four year university who took out loans owed on average $25,250 (New York Times, College Graduates’ Debt Burden Grew, Yet Again, in 2010) just know it’s going to carry into your life after college. Try and learn something from your G.E.’s even if they seem boring or unrelated to anything you will be doing in the future. One more thing. Be nice to everybody! You never know who you’re friends will be once you get there. Be willing to go hang with different types of people until you find that right ‘fit’ of people you really enjoy spending time with.

Bang for the buck

As far as I know, THIS California State university is one of the cheaper universities on the list. The university is rather new compared to some of the others and there are a lot less students than most University of California schools. Along with every other state school budget cuts continue to increase creating fewer classes, and restricting students from learning to their full potential. At this point I have so many thoughts and opinions about where my money is going. However, I think being here goes beyond the money, the teachers here really enjoy their jobs (most of them anyways) and integrity in teaching is what has helped me get the most out of my education.

Am enjoying being here

I am a college student at CSUMB and I am so happy here. I’m originally from southern California and I do think there is a difference in the cultures represented in each part of our state, so I won’t say it was a piece of cake adapting to some of the little differences I’ve picked up on over the past two and a half years, but in the end I’ve grown to love it. The student life is very active and it is very easy to get involved in activities on campus. The small community is the biggest reason I chose to attend this school—everybody does know everybody but to me that’s okay. The significance of a smaller community means more time with teachers and group projects—you’re forced to challenge yourself in each class you take.

Am learning a lot

I am a college student at CSUMB. I learn a little on my own, a lot through my teachers, and even more through my peers. I start almost every class very eager to learn, and I know I’m lucky to have such an interest in my education. In my experience learning at this school became something special—something I would have otherwise missed going to a different university. If I could describe that “something special” I’d say it comes from having a chance my freshman year to take classes in very different subjects bases. I fell in love with my Human Communication classes; choosing a major that you truly love really matters. Building relationships with the teachers and making friends who are hard workers and creative thinkers has also allowed me to learn to my full potential. I have enjoyed my upper division classes more than the ones I first started off with but I think I will say I’ve seen some students sit back and take the easy classes just trying to get through the day, but the opportunity is there. I’ve found one common theme: community. CSUMB became my home when I took what I learned in the classroom and applied it to other communities. I now have had my hand in various volunteer opportunities and have engaged myself in challenging experiences. I won’t stop asking questions and I hope I remember to reflect on these experiences that have given me a new identity.

Emily from Concord, CA

11/16/2011

Reviewer is A current student here.

1 out of 1 people found this review useful.
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Bang for the buck

This university had a lower overall cost than some of the others that I was considering. Even though some of the costs are lower, I don't think that the quality of education or living spaces suffers. The school features well kept fascilities and grounds. The quality of education is wonderful and is a bargain for the price paid.

Am enjoying being here

I love the atmosphere at CSUMB. Everyone is friendly and helpful. Part of the benefit of a smaller school is that you see the same people a lot making it easier to get to know new people. We are a fairly tight knit community. The surrounding area has many cultural events, wonderful beaches and lots of fun things to do.

Am learning a lot

My goal in college was to learn as much as I could even though I've only been here for a semester I know a great deal more than I did when I got here. I am able to take very interesting and engaging classes with knowledgable and fun teachers.

Shannon from Seaside, CA

the campus safety is really good with a lot of lights around the campus and they also have these emergency buttons on the lights where someone will come as soon as possible if you're in trouble.

What to do for fun

when i do get free time from all the school work i either go to the movies which is only like 5 minutes away, go to concerts on campus, or other events like comedy night. we have dances like every other week too which can be fun or go to the student center where they have rock band, pool, ddr, ping-pong, air hockey, and t.v.s.

Food and Dining

the food can be really good, but can sometimes get a little expensive. i know when i first came to campus i was so excited that they had a huge buffet at the cafeteria serving pizza and burgers everyday along with a taqueria stand and an awesome salad bar. they serve a lot of other stuff on different days that is really good and even have a vegetarian stand:) we also have pete's, starbucks, and even our own restaurant.

Dorm Life

depending on your roommate it can be really hard to study or not. if you do get a noisy roommate or noisy neighbors our school has a great library that is a great study place and has a gorgeous view of the ocean. other than that it's a lot of fun meeting new people and you find yourself making a lot of friends running into the same people in the building.

Academic Rigor

just like i said no class will be hard if you not only attend class, but actually put time into what you're learning outside of class. this really makes classes so much easier and you actually enjoy it when you start doing well.

Tips for prospective students

make sure you have very good time management skills because otherwise it's easy to get behind. no class can be too hard just as long as you put time into your classes and really study what you're learning. go to class being optimistic about it even if it's a subject you don't favor too well. if you keep telling yourself you're excited to go to class, you actually do become excited and do better in it. trust me:)

In three sentences

this school is great if you like a small student to teacher ratio and love the beach:) the beach by here is gorgeous and only about 3 miles away where the weather is around the temperatures of 65 degrees. everyone here is really nice and the staff is always willing to help you if you need it because they really care about your success.

Cory from Bridgeport, CA

05/08/2012

Reviewer is Researching this school.
Reviewer has been to campus.

1 out of 1 people found this review useful.
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What to do for fun

As I stated before, CSUMB is right next to the ocean. The college is also next to the retired Fort Ord, and there are a few hiking trials in the area. There is a yearly mud run held right next to the college.

Tips for prospective students

Just because this is a smaller Cal State, don't expect it to be to easy to get into. Like many other California State colleges, CSUMB currently has financial issues, which means less people are excepted.

In three sentences

In my opinion, the best reason to attend this college is definitely the area. In particular, the college is just down the road from the ocean. As such, the college has an excellent ocean biology program.

Shelby from Marina, CA

05/24/2012

Reviewer is A current student here.

1 out of 1 people found this review useful.
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Campus Safety

UPD (University Police Department) is always close and officers are posted around campus regularly. There are also Blue help towers located around campus that students may use if they are in need of immediate help. In addition, UPD also offers a walk-home service in which they will accompany or give a ride to a student who must walk back to their dorms late at night or alone.

Great for these types of students

Students who like a quieter, more affordable campus (comparatively) will like CSUMB.

What to do for fun

There are regular fairs held on campus for the different clubs and groups that students may become a part of. It is also very easy to create your own club on campus. There are a number of trails on and around campus, as well as walking paths that lead directly to the beach which is about a fifteen minute walk away. A short bus ride away is Cannery Row, Downtown Monterey, and Fisherman's Wharf which offer a number of activities as well.

Food and Dining

Like any other cafeteria-style venue, at times the food at CSUMB can be both good and bad. However, the way in which students pay for their food on campus via meal plans (blocks and flex) is easy to understand and goes a long way. There are a number of different dining options open at varying hours of the day and night.

Dorm Life

Dorms at CSUMB are considerably larger than those at other Universities, and the rules and regulations of the dorms are easy to abide by.

Academic Rigor

The course catalog for CSUMB is vast and the classes offered for GE (General Education) and ULR's (University Learning Requirments) fit the needs of individual students very well. While some classes, namely those that pertain to your major, may be difficult at times, the semester-wide system allows students enough time (if they organize correctly) to work on and understand the criteria. A benefit of small class sizes is that professors normally have easily accessible office hours and students can talk with them about their grades or work. Teachers show a genuine interest in the success of their students.

Tips for prospective students

CSUMB is not a very big school, however, because the classes are often spread far apart, I would advise future students to invest in some form of transportation other than a car, for example, a scooter or bike. Also, taking advantage of orientation for CSUMB is wise; pay attention to details instructing you on how to use ilearn (campus-wide online homework/ project/ essay submission site) and also how to properly spend your flex dollars and blocks (campus money).

In three sentences

CSUMB is a very comfortable school that suits people like myself who prefer a smaller campus with more personalized relationships and interactions with teachers. Due to the smaller class sizes, students are given ample opportunity to discuss their strengths and weaknesses with their professors without difficulty. Student life around campus is active with numerous clubs and organizations that students can easily become a part of.

Brittany from Elk Grove, CA

Awesome and outgoing. Greeks try to have everyone participate, even if your not in a sorority or fraternity

Clubs and Activities

Club rush week is fun. There are clubs for every type of person.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

Free bus throughout Monterey area with school id.

Bang for the buck

Off campus food is cheap.

What to do for fun

The beach is always fun!

Food and Dining

The longer you are there, the better the food taste.

Dorm Life

It's easy to meet people, but the dorms can get loud because some people like to party more than others.

Academic Rigor

Some teachers are hard, but they are willing to help.

Tips for prospective students

Make sure you have a car.

In three sentences

I am currently attending Monterey Bay, and I believe it to be awesome. This school is small, but if you know what you want this school will be easy to get know people. Classes are small, and the teachers actually care about your success.

Michelle from Anaheim, CA

08/09/2012

Reviewer is A current student here.

1 out of 1 people found this review useful.
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Campus Safety

Campus safety is very important at CSUMB, we have a police station at school and there is always security patrolling the campus. We also have emergency posts that are spread across the campus that when pressed will connect you to 911, in case on an emergency.

Greek Life

To be honest I'm not to familiar with the greek life, since so much of it is so top secret (one of my roommates was pledging). But we do have various fraternities and sororities.

Clubs and Activities

We have all different types of school activities and clubs from sports to horse back riding and sailing! We have a list on the CSUMB website that lists the many clubs and organizations.

Great for these types of students

Students who love the outdoors! If you love hiking, or bike riding ect. you will have a blast at CSUMB. This school is also great for those who like small class sizes and cold weather. Also, the Monterey Aquarium is near and students who love the ocean can volunteer there, which I did last year, it was an amazing experience!

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

The school was built on an old military base, Fort Ord, there are still many buildings that were used in WWII for the military. People call it ording which is when they go into the building at night and look at all the things inside. Don't get caught by the police though!

Bang for the buck

One of the lower priced CSU's.

What to do for fun

Hmm, let me count the ways: hiking, kayaking, exploring the wilderness in the great state parks, walking to the beach, play sports, and join all the activities that the school does.

Food and Dining

All you can eat buffet, a restaurant, a fast food place and Starbucks!!

Dorm Life

A quad is always best!

Academic Rigor

I've had some pretty amazing professors last year!

Tips for prospective students

A car is a great advantage because the school is separate from the city, but the bus is free too!

In three sentences

This is an outdoorsy type of school, especially since it's on the beach and hiking areas. Many great people and outdoor recreations. Small class sizes and cold weather!

Bryanna from Encinitas, CA

great for laid back students and those who are serious about their future.

Tips for prospective students

You will easily make plenty of friends in the resident halls your first year. Remember to take your education seriously, there is no one up there to babysit you so if you do not pass classes than you end up paying for school just to fail, its not smart. remember to be safe and have fun, college is a great experience.

Bang for the buck

The only problem are the furlough days which all CSU schools are unfortunately currently dealing with as well as raised prices. but there are scholarships and loans available for those who seek them.

Am enjoying being here

There are activities on campus as well as some off. The community is nice and there are buses and other free means of transportation available for csumb students. The only down side is that in order to go do things you have to drive a bit because nothing is really walking distance from the campus.

Am learning a lot

The classes are a good size. Professors here are willing to help and work with students who are struggling. There are also free tutoring programs that are extremely helpful.

Brianna from American Canyon, CA

Make sure you go to the campus before you apply, they have a lot of neat aspects such as art classes in the old hangers, though it is a very warm place, and the campus is very spread out.

Bang for the buck

The cost for colleges are always on the rise, though for the small class sizes, the free transportation, computer lab, and a hundred and fifty pages of free printing it seems very reasonable amount for a school.

Will enjoy being here

The campus is spread out nicely, they offer services such as transportation around the campus, as well as late night buses, and they have a student game room with free DDR until midnight. Focuses not only on school but making sure students have a way to have fun with no cost to them or very little, free movies in the park, jumpy houses after finals, water fights, sports in the quad, all fun events to help with daily stress.

Will learn a lot

The class sizes are not very large, they tend to run twenty six to thirty students at most. This allows the teacher to have more one on one time with the students as well as tweak their teaching style to fix most of the students learning styles.

NEREYDA from SALINAS, CA

As a CSUMB student, I get regular emails on my CSUMB account about any type of safety issue.

Food and Dining

CSUMB has a good selection of food and dining, and I recently heard that a Starbucks will be opening up on campus!

Dorm Life

I live off campus, so I can't answer the Dorm Life, but I've heard from other students that they are very happy living on campus because it is so close to Monterey.

Academic Rigor

I am majoring in Psychology and so far I have had no problem getting into my classes.

Tips for prospective students

The Student dashboard is the best because it is filled with everything that you need from transferrable units from other colleges to class schedule, and a to do list to be sure you are on task with areas such as payment, financial aid, emails, etc.

In three sentences

I enjoy the small class sizes, and the staff. In particular, my counselor is the best and gets back within a few hours. In addition to my counselor, the financial staff has replied to my emails on any of my questions. Overall, I have had a great experience at CSUMB.

very pricey for out of state when they take you off wue probably. i think the priceing is fair because this university needs to get rid of the military baracks because they are really ugly.

What to do for fun

go to the beach,find things to do on campus and to go down to downtown monterey.

Dorm Life

seemed to have very nice dorms i liked how they were close to dineing and to all the lecture halls.

Academic Rigor

not suure... probably not too challenging.

In three sentences

beautiful, secluded and is a small town community.i think i might go here however i am not sure i will like going to a not so busy place. i need to go to a small school where the teachers care to help me with math if i am required to take it.

MO

Is pretty safe. there is a police department on campus and the cumpus is pretty well light.

Greek Life

That I'm not aware because I need to pick up my daughter, so I don't have a time to

Clubs and Activities

There are many activities and clubs to be part of.

Great for these types of students

Students who are motivated and like to walk to the beach, and visit two of the most tourist places in the US: Carmel and Monterrey CA

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

The campus is located right off Highway 1, close to the beach. The campus itself used to be The Army's home of Monterrey, but it's being remodel to meet the requirements of a University and the demographic of its students.

Bang for the buck

If we talking about the food. A dinner for 7 bucks is not expensive at all.

What to do for fun

There are many activities and clubs to choose from and join.

Food and Dining

Food and Dining is great. There are a variety of food for the taste and preference of each student. That is what is great about the University that meets each student's uniqueness.

Dorm Life

I don't live in dorms because I live close by, but I've seen the dorms and they are a variety of dorms to chose from according to your needs.

Academic Rigor

Is pretty good. Each students strive to get into the best schools, and that's where the competition of academic achievement is obtain.

Tips for prospective students

Make an interview with a academic carrier counselor to make a educational plan prior to attending the University.

In three sentences

This is a perfect University to attend and get a degree of your choice, because they have highly qualified instructors. There are many workshops throughout the semester for student to obtain the highest academic achievement possible. Excellent counselors and programs to meet the students needs.

Jessica from Canyon Country, CA

The campus is extremely safe, well-lit, and friendly. The only thing I've been afraid of while on campus was a sneaky raccoon!

Great for these types of students

Artsy, creative, and adventurous students. Students that like to make their own fun, and explore new ways to have a good time.

What to do for fun

Cannery Row, coffee shops, music festivals, and the beautiful beaches are just a few of the wonderful things Monterey has to offer.

Food and Dining

The food at CSUMB is exceptional, with many different choices and options for all students, even those with special dietary needs. As with anything, students are bound to get tired of eating the same things everyday, but CSUMB offers a large variety of food.

Dorm Life

The dorms are incredible, especially when compared to other college dorms. They are spacious, have their own bathrooms, and common rooms are typically clean and well taken care of. Dorm life allows for freshman and transfer students to feel more apart of campus life, and they are guaranteed to meet many new friends while living in the dorms.

Academic Rigor

The class sizes are extremely small, making it much harder to get lost in a lecture hall full of students. Professors take the time to actually get to know their students, and to show that they truly do care about their academic success.

Tips for prospective students

Be prepared for gloomy, rainy weather, especially if it is not what you are used to. It's a big adjustment, but once you become acclimated to it, the area is extremely beautiful and peaceful.

In three sentences

CSUMB is a great school for the student that doesn't need a huge party scene to have a good time. Students that need a more hands-on approach will succeed here, because class sizes are small and personal. Monterey is a beautiful area that stimulates both the body and mind of the students residing there.

Alizdawry

CSUMB is a relatively new campus, so there aren't too many sororities or frats. The few that are one campus are very social and always having exclusive and campus wide events.

Bang for the buck

For in-state tuition, I think CSUMB is an awesome school for an affordable price. I'm paying out of state tutition, and it's even more affordable than private schools in my home state.

What to do for fun

The beach is always an option when the sun's out. There are also cool stores to checkout in Monterey and Cannery Row. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is interesting too. Also, CSUMB is near Big Sur so hiking is an option.

Food and Dining

There are three different dining options. The Otter Express is like a grill and deli that is open until midnight, which is convenient for late night studying. The Dining Commons is like an all you can eat buffet, and the food options are usually pretty good. Sometimes it gets a little repetitive, but the food isn't bad. The Otter Bay Restaurant is more of a sit down dinner type place. The food is good, but it's a little pricey. There is also a Peet's in the library and a Starbucks in the student center. Additionally, there are a ton of cool restaurants in Monterey, both downtown and on Cannery Row.

Dorm Life

The RA's and RHA are super nice and try really hard to get everyone in the res halls involved. I lived in a triple room this past year and absolutely loved my roommates, hallmates, and RA.

Academic Rigor

It all depends on the classes you choose to take. You can take easy peasey classes and get by with little work, or you can take interesting, challenging classes and actually work. I know people who seek the easiest classes and professors and I know people who are in the library constantly keeping up with all their class work. It most certainly is what you make of it.

Tips for prospective students

Give it time. I have heard of so many freshman transferring because they are homesick or unhappy. I promise, getting involved will change your view of CSUMB, so take the time to actually do that.

In three sentences

The campus is convenient, the area is beautiful, and the weather is wonderful. The classes offered are diverse and interesting, and the professors are wonderful. The party scene isn't outrageous, but there are a ton of social clubs and activities.

Kaleb from Dinuba, CA

CSUMB enjoys a fair amount of distance from the surrounding towns, offering a safe, isolated environment for students.

Greek Life

CSUMB is a host to seven sororities & five fraternities.

Clubs and Activities

CSUMB boasts 65 diverse student organizations that offer students countless ways to get involved. The campus also enjoys a variety of intramural sports and an outdoor recreation program.

Great for these types of students

CSUMB is an ideal university for students desiring to be part of a community. The campus is small and largely residential, fostering a strong sense of connection between students and their peers, professors and academic advisers.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

California State University, Monterey Bay was built on the Fort Ord Army Base, which closed in 1994. Beautiful abandoned buildings surround the campus, and several of the buildings previously utilized in the Fort Ord Army Base have been refurbished into the campus as we know it today.

Bang for the buck

Like the other California State Universities, CSUMB offers an excellent education at a comparatively low price.

What to do for fun

The Black Box Cabaret is a facility on campus that hosts concerts, dances, and other exciting events. Several bands come to The BBC throughout the year, and there is typically no entrance fee for students. There is a transit system which is free of charge to students that serves as an excellent connection between the campus and the surrounding cities of Monterey, Marina, and Salinas.

Food and Dining

One set-back to living in the residence halls or suites is that students are required to purchase meal plans that can be rather expensive. Still, the food provided for students is of high quality and a great deal of variety. Available to students is a buffet-style dining commons, a fast-food restaurant, a sit-down restaurant, a Starbucks Coffee shop, and a library cafe.

Dorm Life

Dorm life on the CSUMB campus is absolutely recommended. Freshman students living on-campus are required to live in the residence halls, and upperclassmen are given the choice of living in the residence halls, the suites, or the apartments. There are also apartments and houses available to families or students who are 21 years old and over. Because CSUMB was established only 17 years ago, all of the living facilities are modern and in excellent condition. Resident Assistants do an outstanding job of promoting a sense of community in the dorms. Students of all backgrounds will feel welcome and included within CSUMB's very open-minded student body.

Academic Rigor

CSUMB provides an excellent balance between academic difficulty and lasting knowledge that will be applicable in students' prospective fields of work. My experience in the Teledramatic Arts and Technology department there has been wonderfully hands-on. Students are not only given a great deal of education in theory, but are also given an outstanding amount of opportunities to apply their education in practical ways.

Tips for prospective students

CSUMB is a largely residential campus with over 50% of students living in on-campus housing. I would encourage any incoming students to live on campus at least one year to enjoy the feeling of community there. The campus is small enough for students to walk to all of their classes from their residence halls, and the dining provided is ideal for a student's first year away from home.

In three sentences

California State University, Monterey Bay is an excellent school in both academics and campus life. There you will find encouraging staff and faculty who foster an acceptance for students of all backgrounds. The strong sense of community on campus provides students with a very welcoming home away from home.

Vanessa

07/14/2012

Reviewer is A current student here.

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In three sentences

CSUMB has an orientation program that informs the students of what to expect their first year of college. They have a clean and safe campus. Orientation group leaders are friendly and willing to answer all questions.

The campus promotes a lot of activities, it brings the students together.

Great for these types of students

I think all the students here are well rounded, from all walks of life, which I like. It's not hard to fit in at all.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

The campus is huge, the biggest campus in California, it used to be an old military base, so you get to see the old barracks, which is really cool.

Bang for the buck

The prices are great, everything is reasonable, not sky high prices. Parking permit for the day, when you have visitors come up is $2.00, some schools charge $10 for just a few hours. The meal plan choices are great, very flexible. They also has a service that will fill up your fridge for you, for a price of course, but well worth it!

What to do for fun

Fun is endless. They are constantly having get togethers / socials for everyone. Which is great, especially if you have a hard time meeting new people. We go the beach for fun, ording. , which is when we go sneak around the old barracks.

Food and Dining

The food is great. I eat at the DC ( dining commons) they have an omelet station, which is my favorite) and quite a few other choices to break up the monotony. They even have a Starbucks on campus, which I LOVE!

Dorm Life

I love my dorm, they give you options. Your choice of a single, double or triple room. I have a room with 3 roommates, and surprisingly I love it. The other plus is all of them come qith bathroom and shower, you cant beat that. Your room can have a mini fridge microwave, but there is also a kitchen on the floor too.The RA's are cool too.

Academic Rigor

My classes are tough, but I find that with the smaller class sizes I'm able to get more help, and they also offer free tutoring.

Tips for prospective students

Don't wait to apply, the school is becoming more popular. I waited and was put on the waiting list for a dorm, luckily one became available

In three sentences

Smaller university, which allows for more one on one time with teachers. Great location, by the beach, who could ask for anything more Tuition is reasonable, that's always a plus

Kamilia from Marina, CA

09/13/2012

Reviewer is A current student here.

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What to do for fun

There is endless opportunities for fun in the Monterey area. The beach is about a fifteen minute walk from campus and Tuesday nights bring dollar tacos on Cannery Row. There is an eighteen and over club roughly ten minutes from campus and a twenty four hour Denny's conveniently located across from it. The Monterey Bay aquarium is an amazing and fun place to take family or friends and offers a free week for the college students during fall semester.

Food and Dining

Cal State Monterey Bay offers a variety of healthy and organic foods that are not available on other campuses.

Dorm Life

Dorm Life is amazing. Different halls often get together and play sports in the quad or make a trip to the dining commons as a group.

Academic Rigor

The classes at Monterey Bay are more interactive, which makes the learning processes much smoother.

Tips for prospective students

I would advise prospective students to join clubs and be involved with the university community. This enhances the opportunities that will come your way as well as a stress free way to meet people.

In three sentences

Cal State Monterey Bay is a small interactive university. Small class sizes make the learning experience very personal. I am attending Monterey Bay for the third year and have had nothing but caring professors and outstanding opportunities.

no longer giver warnings if being too loud you are just automatically written up.

Academic Rigor

very easy classes.

Tips for prospective students

Come and visit for a weekend during the winters to see if you like the cold weather and the chillness of campus.

In three sentences

the campus is small which offers certain bonuses like small classes sizes and less impacted majors. The classes here in general are not that challenging. Also if your looking for a party this is not the place to go.

Edrick from Seaside, CA

Safety isn't even an issue on campus, I have yet to hear of a story that would make me look over my shoulder more often, and I'm a third year student.

Greek Life

Kappa Alpha Si, Kappa Sigma, and a few others, our school is still in development stages for requiring traditional Greek rituals like a frat row.

Clubs and Activities

Too many clubs to label, but intramural sports are a fun way of getting to know people and stay in shape

Great for these types of students

Students that don't mind a small college campus. with roughly 4000 students, it's the size of a major high school.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

Ording is big on campus, technically the students aren't allowed, but that's what makes it fun

Bang for the buck

Hole in the wall places like the restaurant Tommy's is literally 2 eggs 2 bacon strips and toast for 99 cents! But because Monterey County is a generally expensive town, those same Hole in the wall places are easy to miss

What to do for fun

The beach is literally within walking distance from the campus. But activity clubs, the student center, the gym, and intramural sport are all on campus, while the Fisherman's Wharf, shopping malls, and scenic areas are cool off campus spots

Food and Dining

Honestly, the food here is a bit limited. Not too much of a variety when it comes to on campus dining, which leads to off campus fast-food at least once every two weeks

Dorm Life

Dorm life was hilarious. I made some great friends simply by living with them. Because this is going to be your foundation, enjoy it. After all, what you get is what you put into it.

Academic Rigor

The work here isn't too hard, it's just seems easy to fall behind. A great deal of it is participation and because the classroom sizes are smaller then most colleges, the professors will know if you are participating or not.

Tips for prospective students

Simply stay focused. It seems almost too easy to get caught up with having too much fun. Just try and keep your head on straight, make good decisions, and set aside a little extra time for work and studying.

In three sentences

CSU Monterey Bay is located in a beautiful area. It never gets too hot, and you can always find a scenic route within the city. With plenty of places to eat, explore, and enjoy, Monterey is never a dull city.

Christopher from Seaside, CA

12/09/2012

Reviewer is A current student here.

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Campus Safety

CSUMB is super safe, we only have 5,000 students and have our own police station on campus. Also, we have a service where you can call a security guard from anywhere on campus and have them escort you to your destination. And we have safety kiosks with emergency buttons on them just in case you don't have your phone and can not contact anyone.

Greek Life

Our greek life at CSUMB is pretty lame. We do not have a greek row/frat houses/sorority houses and since we do not have many students its hard to generate enough money to have big events. Most of the events take place in someones garage in student housing which occasionally get rolled by the police.

Clubs and Activities

I have been to a few club meetings but they have never been organized and people usually catch on to this and stop showing up. This makes it hard for any club to be respected or get anywhere.

Great for these types of students

Its great for students that know how to have fun but can know how to handle down time. Most of the fun stuff is off campus and for some it helps them focus on their studies, for others it just makes them restless.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

A popular tradition at CSUMB is called ording. We have many old military buildings like hospitals and churches that havent been renovated and when the fog settles at night they can look pretty creepy. Freshmen usually run through them drunk and try to scare each other.

Bang for the buck

I believe it is one of the cheapest Cal States to go to which is perfect for those who don't want to be stuck in a community college but do not want to pay crazy prices.

What to do for fun

For fun: Branch out to find fun activities because you will not find them on campus. Most schools have big fraternity events or sorority events, this school DOES NOT. Any school sponsored event is usually pretty un-organized and not that fun at all. If your stuck on campus with no car you can go to the gym which has a nice basketball court but terrible weight lifting area, you can ride your bike or skateboard to the campus beach about a mile away, or you can play disc golf with your friends on campus. We also have a pool that students have access too as well as sand volleyball courts by the North Quad student housing.

Food and Dining

Our dining commons is terrible. I know everyone says that but, our school has a contract with Sodexo meaning we can only serve Sodexo food. We legally cant have a Subway or Chipotle or anything cool like that. We have a total of 3 places to eat but 2 of them serve the same fried fatty foods and 1 of them is supposed to be a nice sit down restaurant for students but too pricey if you ask me. These restaurants: the DC(Dining Commons-all you can eat buffet) OE (Otter Express-one stop cafe) or OBR (Otter Bay Restaurant-sit down restaurant) serve terrible food and have limited hours of operation. And like I said earlier the campus is isolated meaning you have to travel or hitch a ride with your roommate if you get the late night munchies.

Dorm Life

Our dorms are made out of old army barracks that are made out of concrete and cinder blocks. The dorms have fluorescent lighting which reminds me of a dentist office. However since they are made from concrete the building is sturdy( you can hang on the towel racks) also keeps the sound in the room so you can play loud music! There is an Residential Advisor on each floor and they all report to the community director (the people in charge of disciplinary punishment). The residential Advisors are usually senior students trying to get done with school and are pretty cool. But the dorms are more so for freshmen and trasnfers that do not know any better. If you are a sophmore or transfer student you want to be placed in North Quad housing which are really nice modern apartments some of which have kitchenettes.

Academic Rigor

I am a business major and can say that the major is not that demanding. Since there aren't many students the classes are small and the teachers have more time to get their point across and more time to focus on questions or concerns of the students. Also, getting advising appointments and information about where you stand academically and where you want to go is easy! At least for business.

Tips for prospective students

Consider all of the out door activities and nearby attractions! Big Sur is an hour south Santa Cruz is 45 minutes north and San Fransisco is 1 and a 1/2 hours North. You can get into an adventure club on campus where you can go kayaking, sailing, hiking, and camping. Also they offer scuba diving classes which are really cool even as an elective! Even though the school itself is not in an attractive city it is right between anything you want to do.

In three sentences

CSUMB is a big campus based on an old military base with small population that is isolated from all of the tourist attractions and fun stuff. The campus is actually in Seaside which isn't the nicest city in the area but that just makes it more affordable for students. It has the potential to be a huge school and has already made strides in being a green campus by having a solar panel field that produces over 12% of campuses electricity every day! Bring a car!

This will probably be the cheapest college for a while but it is a great school because it gives you a good education for a lower price than most places.

What to do for fun

For fun i clearly go to the beach, go to the movies, go sight seeing, or ride bikes.

Food and Dining

The food here is pretty good but it just gets old sometimes.

Dorm Life

we have our own bathrooms.

Academic Rigor

Some of the classes are hard but just like anything, if you apply yourself enough, it will eventually become a tad bit easier.

Tips for prospective students

Only come here for biology, Marine science, or Marine Biology

In three sentences

Csu monterey Bay is a small school that is moderately increasing in population. This is a great school for people who do not like to be around a lot of people all the time but it is a great school for biology because the teachers know you by name.

Lots of students think its ok to run around and shout in the middle of the night, some even pull the fire alarm at 3 am for no reason other than to be annoying.

Tips for prospective students

Activities and fun events might get in the way of studying and doing hw so make and follow a realistic schedule.

In three sentences

This school offers many programs to choose from. This is one of the smallest CSU's so you get to know the faculty and other students very well. The library is huge (3 floors) and theres a peets coffee along with a starbucks both conveniently located on campus.

Anonymous

Campus safety is our number one priority at this point. We are in the midst of becoming carbon neutral through sustainability.

Greek Life

Numerous of fraternities and sororities with many that do not believe in hazing.

Clubs and Activities

Many great activities and clubs. Check out csumb.edu for further information.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

An unusual tradition or perhaps usual but something I never heard of from any college, is that during the beginning of finals, CSUMB offers a great breakfast social gathering between 9pm-12am. The gathering inspires students to study and do well. It is like a destressor to the pressures of finishing the semester as best as one can.

Dorm Life

Unsure

Tips for prospective students

Although CSUMB is very resourceful, one must be willing to find of helping programs. Being that the country or globe thereof, is experiencing an economic hardship as a whole, do not be intimidated by the cost of education; however, seek for resources to fulfill one's educational goal. Please do not waste fundings by going to college to horse around.

In three sentences

California State University of Monterey Bay (CSUMB) is excellent for student support and being resourceful. As a fairly new university, it has grown to meet needs of the majority, with minorities being the majority. CSUMB is very diverse and welcoming to cultures around the globe.

Shannon from Benicia, CA

Super safe! University Police are never far away and blue emergency poles are located all over campus. There are very low bicycle theft rates and sidewalks and parking lots are well lit.

Greek Life

There is no Greek Row or frat/sorority houses to live in, but the Greeks are still prominent on campus.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

CSUMB is located on an old army base called Fort Ord, meaning there are lots of cool, old buildings! .........but don't think about going in them, that would be highly illegal........( we call it Ording ;] )

Bang for the buck

It's cheaper than the UC system and private schools! There are so many things offered to students that tuition covers (career counseling, health center, student government run activities, etc), use them!

What to do for fun

Obviously, CSUMB students love the beach. Lots of students can scuba dive and surf but if you aren't into that there is plenty more to do. The city of Monterey is close by and has nice beaches to swim at. The mall is a bus ride away, there are weekly farmer's markets, amazing restaurants, prime spots to watch otters, seals, and sea lions, hiking, bike riding, and there is always some school organization that has an event on.

Food and Dining

The Dining Commons is buffet style and always has something yummy to eat and the Otter Express serves yummy cheeseburgers and grilled cheese sandwiches until midnight.

Dorm Life

Dorms are fun to experience. You get 1-2 roommates and you share a bathroom with them. The whole dorm hall shares a kitchen and half of the residence halls have a common room with a TV and some couches. Floormates are prospective friends and once they are it's so much fun to live next door to your friends!

Academic Rigor

The work load is average. If you take easy classes, its going to be easy. If you take more difficult classes, you will have more work to do and more will be expected of you.

Tips for prospective students

To do well, you must be self motivated and not afraid to try new things. Although, CSUMB is relatively small, it is easy to get left behind and think that the area is boring. Go to school functions, learn to use the bus system, and go on adventures!

In three sentences

CSUMB has a small, friendly campus and classes. It is set in gorgeous Monterey county and it's a ten minute walk to the beach! It's a bit more rural here but shopping centers and more populated areas are only a short bus ride away.

Carlos from SALINAS, CA

Campus safety is the biggest thing here mainly due to the fact that we not only have the Campus police on campus but also the Seaside police headquarters is on campus.

Greek Life

Greek life isn't as big as in the movies here, but we do have various fraternities and sororities here which are like a big family. I am not in a sororities so I am not able to tell you what it's like to be in one but my friend is and says she loves it because they help each other out and are pretty much just like sisters.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

There used to be a very cool secret tree that was growing through a piano which was called the Piano Tree. There's also this moss tree but instead of having regular green moss, it's made up of pink moss.

Bang for the buck

All in all, you get more than what you pay for. You get better dorms than other people, classes that are small for those who like small classes, and all the fun you would have anywhere else.

What to do for fun

What to do for fun? What isn't there to do for fun more like it. We have the beach right down the street from us. Theres movie theaters, hiking trails, biking trails, kayaking, whale watching. Theres just so much to do around here, but if you get tired of going out around here, we have Santa Cruz, San Jose, and other bigger cities close by as well.

Food and Dining

I love the fact that we have a Starbucks and a Peete's Coffee here on campus. Not only that, but we are able to use our meal plan to pay for this! You may be saying to yourself big whoop. Well sorry to burst your bubble, but not many schools let you do that. Most school make you pay for it with your own money if you want Starbuck's or Pete's. We also have the Dining Commons which has decent food, and Otter Express which has many options to choose from such as burgers, chicken strips, subs, and many others.

Dorm Life

The dorms in this campus are one of the best due to the fact that you have your own BATHROOM! This, and well the fact that the room is gigantic compared to many other dorms.

Academic Rigor

The academics at the school aren't too hard. As long as you do every single assignment that is assigned, you will most likely get an A in the class. Finals stress everyone out but just make sure that you evenly distribute your studies so that you don't cram everything at the last moment.

Tips for prospective students

One major tip that might come in handy for some is, when applying to the dorms, make sure that you don't make your parent's do your applications. Grow up and start doing things on your own because many people who applied for the dorms, made their parents do the paper work and got stuck in a hall that is substance free which most of the people in that hall didn't want.

In three sentences

Although many people believe that CSUMB is a crappy school because it is new, small, and not that well known; it is one of the best CSU's in California. Not only is the school great because of the location, being close to the beach and all, but the people who attend this school are just very friendly and outgoing which makes it an even better part of coming to this school. Although it is a small school, it is expanding and many others would agree that this school has a little bit of everything for everyone.

C. from Salinas, CA

There is a police department close to campus. So it is very safe right here.

Greek Life

You will have so much fun here because there will always be something new to do.

Clubs and Activities

Many clubs that you can choose from as well as activities. We have soccer team, a dance team, and volleyball.

Great for these types of students

Great for students who are athletic,outgoing, and responsible.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

We have a nice library that has a coffee store. We also have a theater.

Bang for the buck

There is a world theater close to campus. People here at the university are really nice and helpful.

What to do for fun

For fun there is a lot to do go to the beach, go to Starbucks, walk around campus, and hang out at the dinning commons.

Food and Dining

The food that they have in California State University- Monterey Bay are good. There is pizza, hamburgers, burritos, and many much more food.

Dorm Life

You will love living at the dorms. You will have everything already bed, desk, and closet.

Academic Rigor

There are many fun classes where you can choose of. For example, Kin.

Tips for prospective students

The main tip that I give you is to never give up, no matter how complicated the situation is.

In three sentences

I give this university a rate of 8 because the classes are really nice, instructors are willing to help you. An advantage that California State University of Monterey Bay is that is close to the beach; where you can go to relax.

Stephanie from Seaside, CA

There's a police department right on campus. We are free to walk around at 2am and we are not harassed or asked where we are going. of course, as long as we follow the rules. I feel safe.

Clubs and Activities

They are so many clubs to choose from and if you want to start a new club, by all means do. No one is discriminated against.

Great for these types of students

It's great for introvert students. You learn how to become independent and be a responsible young adult. You are welcomed here and you make friends fast.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

There's a package program, where your parents can send you treats and food. Very cool.

Bang for the buck

Starbucks and the student store is great. Prices are reasonable.

What to do for fun

For fun, you can go to the student website and there's always something fun going on. The beach is across the street and there's always something to do.

Food and Dining

CSUMB has great food plans. We have a Starbucks and Pete's coffee. Food is great, it's available to you at any time and you're welcome to eat as much as you want.

Dorm Life

We are free to do what we have to do. There are rules that we must follow but we dont feel like we are on lock down. It's a great place to live and they make you feel welcomed.

Academic Rigor

Teachers and counselors really care! With so many students here, it would be understandable that they are busy but my experience has been a great one!

Tips for prospective students

Don't look for another school. CSUMB is a great place to go to school. The dorm life is great, we have to be responsible young adults and you always have someone to talk to and assist you with any questions you might have.

In three sentences

I am very happy attending CSUMB. It's a multi cultural school and everyone is accepted and treated equal. Teachers really care and they help you and guide you in making my college experience the most rewarding experience ever.

Shannon from Seaside, CA

02/17/2013

Reviewer is A current student here.

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Campus Safety

There is a full fledged police station on campus that responds quickly to any possible instances. There are also emergency call buttons that allow responders to know where you are. Police and security are also willing to walk people to their cars at night if they feel it necessary. However, the campus and the parking lots are exceedingly dark due to the fact that the campus is away from the neighboring cities.

Greek Life

There are multiple sororities and fraternities on campus and many of the students are a part of the greek life.

Clubs and Activities

There are many clubs on campus with topics ranging from democrat/republican supporters to anime lovers. There is something for every interest, and if not, it is an easy process to create your own club. There are always events on campus and due to the fact that we have a working stage theater, there are live performances as well as current movies shown. We also have a club called the Black Box Cabaret (BBC) where live music is held as well as any dances that might be taking place.

Great for these types of students

This school is great for students who go with the flow and would like to enjoy their college experience. This is not a strictly academic environment and due to the relaxing community and neighboring areas, it is a nice place for those who like to be outdoors and be athletic.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

Our campus used to be an operational Army base decades ago, so there are many locations throughout campus that showcases that history. The woods surrounding the campus also contain oddly shapped trees, like a dancing woman and a flowing piano. These are two sites that first year students tend to seek out while they are exploring the campus.

Bang for the buck

Unfortunately, the food at the eateries and apparel in the bookstore are rather pricey. However, there are many farmer's markets throughout the county that offer great fresh produce at a reduced price.

What to do for fun

The Monterey Bay Aquarium is a hot spot for tourists and students alike. It is located on Cannery Row, which houses many restaurants, shops, and fun venues. There are many trails on campus that are great for biking and hiking. The beach is also a mile away with direct access from the campus. San Fransisco, Santa Barbara, and San Jose are all within driving distance. Kayaking and surfing are also extremely popular activities. If you do not have a car, it is ok because the bus system takes you to many of these places and it is free if you are a student.

Food and Dining

There are 5 places on campus that offer food and dining: a stop-and-go, a dining commons with buffet style eating, a full restaurant (only place on campus that serves alcohol if you are 21+), a Starbucks, and a Peets Coffee and Tea. Unfortunately, these places are not particularly cheap, especially the restaurant. However, all of these locations take meal plan payments and the dining commons offers many vegetarian friendly options.

Dorm Life

The residence halls are always putting on events that encourage socializing and acclimatization for the first year students. As the student stays on campus longer, the housing improves to where they can even choose to live in an apartment on the back side of campus. Kitchens are also available for third year students.

Academic Rigor

Academic rigor seems to be more dependent on the type of major chosen by the student. As the student increases in grade level, the classes will of course get more challenging, just like any other school. However, in my opinion, this school does not offer enough rigorous courses.

Tips for prospective students

This is a great place if you like small schools. If you want the party school atmosphere, you will not find it here, although there are always activities and parties thrown. This seems to be a relaxing location for many people and a good place to go for a college experience. Cars are not necessary, but do help out a great deal.

In three sentences

CSUMB is a small, new CSU that offers a variety of majors in a great location of California. There are activities available for any person with any interest. If you want a small, fun, peaceful college, this is the place for you!

Alexandra from Monterey, CA

03/07/2013

Reviewer is A current student here.

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Campus Safety

CSUMB has one of the highest sexual assault (rape) to student population ratios of any CSU. This is attributed to the campuses' more progressive collective consciousness (more are reported because of constant work to raise awareness and diminish stigma) and the poor lighting on campus and East Campus along with rampant binge drinking. All in all- bring a flashlight with you, serve your own drinks.

Greek Life

Greek Life was almost non-existent on campus up until about 5 years ago - since then it has exploded. However, it is not so prevalent that students who are NOT interested in Greek Life will feel excluded.

Clubs and Activities

The campus has innumerable clubs from TOMS shoes to Purposeful Service to the usual frats and sororities.

Great for these types of students

Artistic, Independent, Social Justice Oriented, Community Oriented, Interested in Working in Social Services, Working Students, Returning Students, Eco-Conscious Students.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

Ording is a favorite pastime of students. The campus is located on an old, abandoned military base so students frequently delve into the woods or back lots of explore, set up art projects and play disc golf.

Bang for the buck

Students who come out of CSUMB are prepared to get a job in the real world. The service learning and community orientation of the school assure you make connections with future employers long before you graduate. While traditional liberal arts (writing/reading) aspects are weak, the inability to accurately name several Romantic area writers has never hindered anyone's ability to obtain employment (that I know of) thus far.

What to do for fun

The school makes a concentrated effort to have events, lectures, guest performers, movie nights, and social justice events. They are all high quality and lots of fun. East Campus also puts on regular events which students can attend via shuttle.

Food and Dining

Average campus fare, with varying selections from made-to-order sandwiches to pizza, Mexican cuisine or Chinese. A Starbucks and a Peet's Coffee are also on campus and Monterey offers numerous culinary options for students with transportation.

Dorm Life

Dorms are crowded, loud and drinking and drug use is somewhat prolific. If you can get into North Quad, do so as soon as possible. Otherwise make a strong plan to do all your studying outside of your room in the library or on the grass.

Academic Rigor

Depending on which department you join, academic rigor varies. Human Communication and Collaborative Health and Human Services notably make significant demands on their students, as does Biology, Earth Sciences and Systems Policy and Kinesiology.

Tips for prospective students

Do not assume that just because a significant number of freshman are drinking and partying means they'll be there next semester. They won't. Also, if you are from a sunny climate, don't be fooled by the photos online. Fog is the weather du jour 70% of the time. If a transfer, attempt to obtain housing in East Campus which will afford you an apartment with full kitchen, living, backyard or balcony and garage.

In three sentences

Multicultural, service learning and human services oriented university with a strong marine and earth sciences department. Not for the conservative at heart, the school seeks to mold students into individuals who will make a significant positive impact in their community. Assignments are both emotionally and intellectually challenging, so prepare to grow as you learn.

Jillian from Monterey, CA

There is campus security and a sheriffs station on campus. This campus is very well kept under safety. Students look out for each other and you can safely walk around campus without a worry.

Greek Life

There are Greek houses students can join.

Clubs and Activities

There are many clubs and campus activities going on all the time at CSUMB. At the beginning and sometimes in the middle of each semester there is a club and activity fair that allows students to come out to the main quad and check out all the different clubs the campus has to offer.

Great for these types of students

Students who want a smaller campus and have a teacher know you by name and not a number would be great for CSUMB. I went to private school my whole life and CSUMB was a huge success for my transition into college because the small college feel made me feel at home and important than being lost in a huge campus.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

During finals since all the students are studying hard, the campus puts on an event called Eggs After Dark. It's a chance for all the hungry students who are up later studying can come get a good breakfast and take a break from studying. It's a very fun and exciting night.

Bang for the buck

Monterey is a beautiful environment to live in. Students and residents are all very friendly and environmentally sound. Its nice to live in an area where people care about ocean conversation and keeping the earth clean. The campus has so many clubs students can join to get more involved with their campus and major. Such as myself, I am involved with the Marine Science club while I am a SCUBA diver and a Marine Science major with a Biology Minor. Having that club to network and familiarize myself with others who relate to my major is a great way to advance in becoming the person you are working toward after graduation.

What to do for fun

The ocean is a huge bonus for fun. SCUBA, kayaking, surfing, sailing, and just relaxing around a bonfire. The campus is located on Fort Ord and students are walking distance from the ocean. Also there is movie theaters, shopping, tourist spots, amazing hiking trails, Big Sur camping is only an hour south and more all throughout Monterey. Also San Jose and San Francisco are not much of a drive either to enjoy central California lifestyle. It's a small town but the possibilities for fun are endless here.

Food and Dining

There are many options on campus such as the Dinning Commons, Otter Express, and even a restaurant called Otter Bay. All are delicious and have a menu to serve all type of diets including vegetarian which I was very pleased about. If students do not wish to eat on campus, there are many food places near campus as well.

Dorm Life

Dorm life from my experience was great! You can have a shared room or a single room. The student housing department is very good with accommodations and helping you chose the right roommates.

Academic Rigor

The academics at CSUMB are up to par and can be challenging at times but the professors and tutoring are always there to help get students to fully understand the curriculum at hand.

Tips for prospective students

Monterey Bay is a beautiful area to live in and if students are interested in a Marine Science major, I highly recommend the program here along with SCUBA diving. This is a great place for anyone who is interested in the ocean.

In three sentences

Monterey Bay has been a blessing to my advancement in my undergrad studies under my Marine Science Major. The professors and staff are dedicated to helping students achieve their goals and to move on to higher education. I'm extremely pleased with the college life and academics at California State University Monterey Bay.

Lin from Walnut Creek, CA

There are many places to visit. The beach is about a 15 minute walk from campus and there are tourist places such as Cannery Row, Big Sur and Carmel.

Food and Dining

It gets old really fast, but dining food will always be like that.

Dorm Life

It is better to live on the dorms then off campus. Even if you're an upperclassman and the dorm life is very strong and vibrant.

Academic Rigor

Classes are easy for the most part. You'll have to do service learning classes and it might be hard to get to without a car and it takes up a lot of your time.

Tips for prospective students

Always look for opportunities within the school, do not stay in your dorm all the time. There are a lot of student government position to get involved with the school. Stay connected with everyone and you'll have a good time.

In three sentences

CSU Monterey Bay is always growing and innovating itself. It is small and doesn't have a lot of student pride. Young university with a lot of character.

Yvonne from Riverside, CA

Reviewer is Accepted here and planning to attend soon.
Reviewer has been to campus.

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What to do for fun

I heard there were lounging areas in all the dorm buildings, games to go to, teams to join for fun. I heard there was an anime class and a horror film class which is pretty cool.

Food and Dining

From what I heard the food was awesome there are Starbucks everywhere, pretty sweet but I don't know too much yet.

Dorm Life

The only problem I had at orientation was that they never gave us a tour of the dorms, so I don't know what my room is really going to look like until I get there. But I have heard some pretty bad stories about the dorms such as water leaks and laundry room flooding.

Academic Rigor

They are serious about academics here, you have to get a C or better in your classes at Monterey because you will get kicked out. Take advantage of the on campus tutoring programs, they are there to make sure you keep those grades up just a piece of advice. But I noticed they really want you to succeed especially with the early start program.

Tips for prospective students

Do not be afraid to ask questions! I have not started attending this school yet but at orientation this is one piece of advice they gave incoming freshmen. Also check your online student portal on a daily basis otherwise you will miss important information. In the student portal you will find a link to a student google account, check it all the time, this is how you find out about your roommates.

In three sentences

It is an awesome campus, I have lived in Southern California my whole life and I hate the hot weather. I'm glad this school is in Northern California where the weather is nice and cool. Another positive is the hospitality, everyone from upper classmen to the staff were all very friendly.

Brittany from Boulder Creek, CA

09/08/2013

Reviewer is A current student here.

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Campus Safety

This campus is really safe. I feel safe walking around at night, there are many lights all around main campus. There are also emergency boxes all around campus in case there every was an incident. The campus also has its own police force and they provide officers who will escort any student to their dorm.

Clubs and Activities

There seems to be a really large number of clubs on this campus, which is really cool. Another really great thing is that if there is no club for a specific subject, any student can create a club for that topic.

Great for these types of students

This school really is great for all students. There is something for everyone here.

Bang for the buck

For the price of this school compared to other institutions, you get a great education that will set you up for a career in our society today.

What to do for fun

There are events on campus that are fun, and a great way to meet people. It does seem though that there isn't much going on- on any given day. There are other things to do though outside of the campus. Each student gets free bus fair with their ID cards, so you could basically go any where in the area. I'd say the biggest destination spot is Cannery Row in Monterey. There is lots of food and shops, and the Aquarium! Students also have free access to the gym and aquatic center which is also great if you're bored! Great way to keep off the freshman 15!

Food and Dining

The food is good for the most part. However, it does seem to be getting a bit old as time goes on. It all depends on what you like. But overall it is quite acceptable and usually tastes pretty good.

Dorm Life

Everyone is very nice and welcoming. The RA's are also really great, they are very helpful. It is a great way to meet people and make friends. Specifically on the rooms though, each one has their own bathroom which is really nice! The room sizes aren't too bad either if you use the space efficiently.

Academic Rigor

The academics are pretty good. They compare to that of a difficult high school. Some courses are more challenging than others. As you climb the academic ladder things do tend to get more challenging. However, there isn't much difference between a high school class and a beginning college class here.

Tips for prospective students

Stay determined and on top of everything you do. Organization is key for college. Also, remember that not everything is about school, so take a little time to yourself each day to keep you strong and focused on your goals.

In three sentences

This is a great school for beginning college students. The campus is very welcoming and everyone is kind. There is a place for every type of person!

Stephen from Marina, CA

09/14/2013

Reviewer is A current student here.

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Campus Safety

I'd say probably the biggest hazard at CSUMB are the people driving around, because some of them don't really pay attention to what they're doing. The college police force seems to be more than enough to keep the campus safe. I've never seen any sort of foul play happen there or ever heard about it happening, so I assume it's pretty safe.

Greek Life

I don't really know. I'm sure most people at CSUMB aren't there to get drunk and party, because there are better schools to go to for that.

Clubs and Activities

I'm not really involved in any clubs, but there are plenty of guest speakers that come to the school. There are also fairly regularly career fairs and that kind of stuff happening on campus.

Great for these types of students

CSUMB is a great school for anybody who is working, has a family, or wants to get an education without breaking the bank. The school of business at CSUMB really emphasizes post college stuff like finding a job/career.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

The school is built on the site of the old Fort Ord military base, so the campus is literally surrounded by derelict buildings. None of them are close to the actual campus, but they do provide a kind of eerie backdrop.

Bang for the buck

I'm a Monterey Bay local, so I was in public school when CSUMB was just starting up. To be honest, I didn't expect much from the school when I applied, and I'm going to it for purely financial reasons, but I was pleasantly surprised. It's nothing that's going to knock you off your feet, but the quality of the instructors, facilities, and student services is overall good. CSUMB offers this at a tuition rate significantly lower than a lot of other schools.

What to do for fun

I couldn't say, because I don't live on campus, and I don't really stay on campus. I treat the place kind of like an extension of community college, so I don't really know anything about campus life. From what I've heard there are fairly regular late-night parties in the dorms with 30 racks aplenty.

Food and Dining

I've never eaten at the dining commons, so I can't comment on the food other than that it smells like old fry oil. There are a Peet's and a Starbucks on campus, but no food places anywhere nearby.

Dorm Life

I can't comment much, because I live off campus, but from I've seen the dorms are pretty nice. The major downside is that space is limited, and a lot of people have to commute to the main campus of CSUMB from their dorms in East Campus, which is definitely not within walking distance. This isn't so bad, because there is a free bus line that goes back and forth between the two places.

Academic Rigor

Some instructors are definitely more challenging than others, but overall it is fairly easy. If a 5 would be schools like UC Berkeley and UCLA, CSUMB would definitely be a 3.

Tips for prospective students

Make sure to take a lower division service learning course like microeconomics or macroeconomics at your community college if you are planning on transferring to CSUMB. If you take the equivalent of either of those courses at CSUMB, you have to do community service.

In three sentences

CSUMB isn't the most exciting school, but it's affordable, and provides a good value for the tuition. The school has a decent foreign exchange program, and the student population is pretty diverse. The instructors are all good, but some are better than others, and some are harder than others.

2.5 didn't really live in dorms but what I saw was acceptable, the R.A.'s are great though and are what make it a 4.

Academic Rigor

Difficulty of classes can grow exponentially from one level to the next, be prepared to be a full time student if enrolled in full time courses( don't get overconfident on your time management skills.)

Tips for prospective students

Get involved early on, getting involved later can be more difficult because of the higher level of classes.

In three sentences

There is high opportunity for growth. There are many resources that don't come at extra charge. There are not many distractions.

Grace from Seaside, CA

Only a couple, but don't count on a Frat/Greek Row because there isn't one.

Clubs and Activities

There really only a couple of clubs on campus and you barely hear about them. If you want to join, make sure you go to the Otter Open House near the beginning of the year or you'll never really hear of them after that. There are BARELY any activities on campus.

Great for these types of students

First generation college students, students who did not try hard or have an easy time in high school, people who aren't looking for a busy lifestyle.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

There really isn't much at all.

Bang for the buck

As one of or even THE cheapest Cal State University, you get what you pay for. Not the best academics, a sleepy campus, and mediocre lifestyle.

What to do for fun

Probably just sit in your room and watch a movie with some friends. There's not much to do on campus or around town. You could go to Downtown Monterey, the Wharf or the Aquarium/Cannery Row, but you either need to follow the bus systems (which stop running at certain times) or have a car. Other than that, life here is very quiet.

Food and Dining

The dining commons is great a couple of times, but you begin to tire of the repetitive food and fatty oils that they use to cook the different meal options. The Otter Express (fast-food type) is alright but like the dining commons, there isn't much of a variety and it gets tiring and boring. Also, there have been complaints about the food at the Otter Express being insect-infected or inducing food poisoning.

Dorm Life

Dorm rooms are huge and each room has a personal bathroom to share with your roommates. It's a great place to live as a student. However, I only give it 4 stars because the RAs are strict and the quite hours and enforced greatly. It's a little boring as the campus and buildings will feel and be empty most of the time.

Academic Rigor

It's not that hard if you come from a high-standard, high-competition high school. But if you don't, this school is perfect as it gives the right amount of work and responsibility. However, the teachers baby their students and don't really let students find their responsibilities for themselves.

Tips for prospective students

It's a sleepy school, so be prepared for a quiet, lax kind of life. There are tons of police on campus, so make sure you're on top of what you need to do and read parking and road signs carefully. People here smoke a lot, so be careful if that isn't your vibe.

In three sentences

California State University Monterey Bay is a small, close-knit college that is good for students who are from smaller towns or from larger cities that need a break from the busy life. It does not have much to offer other than caring professors. There is not much to do at any given time of the day, afternoon or night, so if you're okay with a slow pace of life or a chill atmosphere, Monterey Bay is the place for you.

Alexander from San Leandro, CA

11/29/2013

Reviewer is A current student here.

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What to do for fun

The student committees at CSUMB have tons of activities going through the week. Often times, there will be a concert of a movie playing at a small club-like building called the Black Box Cabaret, as well as the many themed events and dances going on all over the school. For example, at Avocet Hall, there was a Harry Potter party, where you could make your own wand, be sorted into your Wizarding House, and enjoy some themed snacks. For off campus entertainment, there are a couple movie theaters to go to, one in Salinas and one in Monterey. You can go to Cannery Row in Monterey or the Downtown area to browse around tourist-trap-ey stores, or you can even go to Carmel if you prefer more expensive restaurants and stores, or to see the beautiful white sand beaches located down main street. But, at the risk of repeating myself, you *will* need a car or a good feel for the bus system to actually get anywhere without getting lost.

Food and Dining

The food at CSUMB is not very good. However, it is not bad, either. The Dining Commons at the north end of the quad is your main option for food at the school, and it offers several different styles of meh-level food, ranging from meh mexican food to meh omelettes, from meh sandwiches to meh burgers and meh pizza. None of the food is really any good, but none of it, again, is particularly bad, either. The only other on-campus option is the Otter Express, which is a building with two restaurants (one styled after Wing Stop, and the other after Subway), and several shelves with snack foods like M&M's and assorted chips. There are also a couple of refrigerated shelves with Safeway-grade sushi, and things like pre-made salads and sandwiches. The Otter Express is definitely the better of the two options, but it costs more money, so you have to decide how to spend. For off campus food options, there are plenty of good restaurants, but you'd have to be agreeable to taking a bus to get to them.

Dorm Life

Maybe this is just my dorm, but there is not much of a dorm life to speak of. I met all of my neighbours once at this get-to-know-everyone event in the second or third week of school, but have not said any more to any of them other than a passing hello in the hallway since then. I do hear about a lot of other halls hosting more events, which leads me to believe that perhaps the people in my dorm hall just aren't very filled with school spirit. I suppose it just depends on who your neighbours are.

Academic Rigor

The classes at CSUMB aren't very intense (although I am currrently a first semester freshman, so maybe that's just the general ed classes), but homework can often sneak up on you if you don't keep on top of it. At the moment, one of my classes has assigned me three different projects, all of them due at the same time at the end of the year. Some students, however, have rather bad work ethics, and that can wear on your enthusiasm to be in class. But again, if you can keep yourself on top of your work, then you should not have any problems.

Tips for prospective students

For new students to CSUMB, I would suggest that you learn to adjust to the weather, first and foremost. It can be bright, sunny, and freezing cold outside, or cloudy, overcast, and sweltering, or anything in between, so wearing layers is a good idea. For actual school life, I would suggest to put yourself out into the community and attend as many events as you can. It's the fastest way to get to meet new people, and you'll be surprised to find that most everyone at the college, student and faculty alike, are very welcoming and friendly. Finally, if you don't have a car, I would suggest you seriously consider acquiring one. The bus system is (pun not intended) a train wreck: you can almost count on the buses being three to fifteen minutes late, and there is not a single store that is close enough to seriously consider walking to.

In three sentences

CSUMB is, on the whole, a lovely school, if a bit isolated. Contrary to what one might expect, the college is not actually in Monterey; it is located on the outskirts of Seaside, in the old US Army base Fort Ord. The students and faculty are very friendly, and because of the distance from the surrounding towns and cities, the school has developed into a very close-knit community.

Kayla from Salinas, CA

Safe and the Police are helpful if you have an emergency! (12/29/2013)

Greek Life

There are like 12 fraternities and sororities, but they do not have houses

Clubs and Activities

There are a lot of different clubs to join. However, some of the clubs are run by people who do not really put a lot of effort into them. There is much room for improvement in this area, from what I have seen.

Great for these types of students

Physically active, kind, and happy

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

Come visit

What to do for fun

Go outside and be active. Monterey has a fun bar scene. Join clubs and meet new people

Food and Dining

Good food quality. Several places to choose from. There is always a delicious vegetarian option. Marina, a short bus ride away, has several fast food restaurants and several great ethnic spots. The school offers organic produce every Tuesday that is available for purchase right outside the library and with the meal plan dollars.

Dorm Life

Lots of friendly people, clubs to join, and several really fun events throughout the year. A lot of people go to the gym, exercise on the grassy areas in groups, cook meals in the kitchens, and hang out at the Starbucks or Peets.

Academic Rigor

The business department of this school really makes the students work. I have heard that also about the Biology departments.

Tips for prospective students

join clubs!!! Take advantage of the resources available, there are a good amount of them!! Make sure you have a good pair of jogging shoes, the area is beautiful. There are several beaches nearby that are short bus rides away.

Joshua from Seaside, CA

01/10/2014

Reviewer is A current student here.

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What to do for fun

There is a lot of natural beauty surrounding CSUMB. There are many hikes students can go on including Garrapata, Point Lobos, and Big Sur. Lovers Point is also a popular place for nature lovers as well as the 17mile drive. There is a beach that is about 20min. walking distance from main campus and many others if you are willing to drive. There are also plenty of restaurants in the area including Fishermans Warf which is a collection of sea food restaurants on a deck. This place is well known because almost every restaurant gives free tasters of delicious clam chowder tot he visitors. There are also bars in the downtown for those over 21. If you are willing to drive some ways San Fransisco is about 2 hours away and Santa Cruz is about 45 mins away.

Food and Dining

Food and dining is something students often complain about. There are three food options in CSUMB. Dinning Campus (Buffet style), Otter Express(mainly for fast food and sandwhiches) and Otter Bay restaurant. The dinning commons is the cheapest option but it is crowded. Over all the food that they serve is passable. There are some sections that change everyday and there are others that stay the same. The otter express is tastier but generally less healthy and more expensive. The otter express also looks nicer because it was just remodeled. The otterbay restaurant has the best food but they offer food at restaurant prices obviously. Although people complain about the food places they are great places to socialize and meet people. For me personally, the only time I socialize (being that I have so little time) is when I go to the Dinning Commons to eat. In conclusion the food is passable but the experience is good.

Dorm Life

Dorm life depends on where you live and it is really what you make of it. If you are the type of person that likes to stay in your room all day and not socialize dorm life will not be good no matter where you go. In CSUMB there are three different residential areas and one residential area off campus that is also operated by the university. On campus you have Area1, Area2, and North Quad. East campus is the off campus housing which is about 2 or 3 miles from the school. Area1 is reserved for freshmen and is at the center of everything a student needs. Food, the library, campus services and classes will all be at very close distance. For many students a bike is not even necessary. The living areas of Area1 were once bunkers for a military base that was once where CSUMB is today. As a result the rooms in Area 1 are small. Each room houses three student and each of the three buildings has one laundry room and one kitchen. The laundry room has just three washers and three dryers and it can be difficult to find a machine that is open. Area2 is the same way except it also houses some sophomores and juniors. North Quad also consists of three buildings. Two are mainly for Sophomores and the third is reserved for people over the age of 20. In the mainly sophomore buildings students are usually housed six to a suite (each having four rooms (two double rooms and two single rooms)). Each floor (four total) also offers three rooms for students that would prefer to have only one roommate. The 3rd building in North Quad, which is for students over 20, has apartments, each housing four students. Each apartment has four single rooms. Overall NorthQuad is much nicer than Area1 and Area2 living arangements. In my opinion it is best place to live for students attending CSUMB. East Campus is composed of what are basically small houses in small neighborhoods. There are many families living here most of which are students. Students that live in main campus often go to east campus to party.

Academic Rigor

I give CSUMB four stars out of five because I am a science major which is the most difficult pathway at this university. It is VERY important to know that the level of academic rigor at this school is completely dependent upon your major. Science majors typically have it the hardest at this school, followed by Computer Science, Mathematics and perphaps business. The other careers are typically not nearly as rigorous as science careers but they can still offer a real challenge for some. Some of the majors that are considered less rigorous among CSUMB students are more difficult Junior or Senior year. If you are thinking about being a science major you should know that you will have little time for yourself. If you are not a very hard working and committed person science is not for you. For those that accept the challenge you will find that it can be rewarding and you will learn a great deal and meet amazing people.

Tips for prospective students

Remember that life is all about making connections. While at CSUMB be sure to make friend with everyone wherever you go. You will find that strong connections is what will get you through the toughest times while you attend CSUMB. Select your university first based on academics. I do not recommend choosing CSUMB because it is near the beach. You will find that the beach is usually cold or foggy and you will hardly ever have time to go to the beach. Although living on campus and having a meal plan can be more expensive than living off campus here keep in mind that not everything can be measured with money. The convenience that comes will living on campus and not having to worry about cooking gives you more time to study, take care of what you have to do and allows you to stay better connected.

In three sentences

CSU Monterey Bay is a good school and offers a lot to its students, especially considering it is the least expensive CSU. CSUMB has a great deal of students that are science majors (Environmental Science Technology and Policy, Marine Science, Biology(including pre-med), but also has plenty of students majoring in Business, Kinesiology, Mathematics, Computer Science, Visual Performing Arts, Human Communications, and Liberal Studies to name a few. CSUMB is a small school is is perfect for students that think it is important to personally known his/her professors.

Natalie from Anaheim, CA

Clubs galore and lots of planned activities such as hiking, comedians, sports, etc.

Great for these types of students

Students looking for a more intimate, low teacher to student ratio will love this campus.

Bang for the buck

Lots of free activities and entertainment for CSUMB students. Tuition is on the lower end of the Cal State Universities.

What to do for fun

Monterey is a tourist town so there are beautiful sights including Cannery Row, Fisherman's Wharf, 17-mile Drive, Camping, Pebble Beach, Carmel and so much more.

Food and Dining

Food not bad, easily accessible. Monterey's Cannery Row and Fisherman's Wharf close by

Dorm Life

Perfect setting for the person that is living away from home for the first time. Resourceful Resident Assistants available to help with issues. Many different living areas from three resident dorms to apartments.

Academic Rigor

Professors challenge you to do your best. There are many resources available on campus to help you be successful.

Tips for prospective students

Come focused and ready to learn.

In three sentences

Great intimate campus with professors that know you by name. Classes are available for all you requirements allowing students complete their degree. Beautiful location, eco-friendly campus.

Mario from Salinas, CA

CSUMB campus security is always around keeping and eye on everyone. I feel save at the school and don't feel that something bad may happen to me or my car.

Greek Life

I don't know to much about the greek life. I'm just learning about it.

Clubs and Activities

CSUMB has different type of clubs you can probably find a least one thing that interest you.

Great for these types of students

This school is great for any student that wants to get a great education. Student that have a great work ethic would do great at this school.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

I right I don't have any unusual traditions or locations on campus.

Bang for the buck

CSUMB is a great school you really get a great education for the cost. I think is one of the less expensive school I ever been to.

What to do for fun

There's a lot of different things to do in campus or off campus. The beach is really close to the school. there's a lot of parks were you can go exercise or if you like dancing theirs some ballrooms and clubs.

Food and Dining

The food is OK is not something that I like to eat everyday.

Dorm Life

I don't live in the dorms so I can talk about it.

Academic Rigor

academically speaking the classes are hard sometimes. But the instructors do such a good work on explaining the subject and also helping you understand if you don't get it the first time.

Tips for prospective students

A tip for a prospect would be to get to know the school. Get to know your counselor and your teachers. So you know who to go for help Depending on the help you need.

In three sentences

CSUMB is a great school. Everyone that works there the staff and the teachers are so helpful and nice. Is an amazing school for whatever your thinking in majoring.

John from Arroyo Grande, CA

03/06/2014

Reviewer is A current student here.

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Campus Safety

A Campus Police Department is located conveniently towards the middle of campus. Officers are present on a daily/nightly basis. Many emergency phones and lights are located throughout campus, ensuring optimal safety conditions for those walking alone. CSUMB may or may not have seemingly higher crime rates than other universities, but often this is simply a result of skewed statistics due to the relatively small student population. After 4 years at CSUMB, I have not once ever felt unsafe in any way. Campus is a very friendly place.

Greek Life

As mentioned above, there is no greek row and greek life seems pale in comparison to larger universities such as Fresno State. However, sororities and fraternities are still present on campus and often affiliated members are eager to get involved in community organizations.

Clubs and Activities

There is a large selection of activities for students to engage in on campus. A weekly installment e-mail titled Otter Be Involved is sent out with a list of the week's activities that are available to students. These activities are incredibly diverse and offer multiple ways to get involved on campus, whether through one of many clubs or simply a one-time involvement activity.

Great for these types of students

Those who are laid back. People who appreciate nature. Those who can go without going to ragers every weekend. People who love science!

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

So there's this thing that CSUMB students call ording. Ording is when students go exploring through the old military facilities still located around the outskirts of campus. As a reformed military base, the presence of military history is still prevalent in the area surrounding CSUMB. Students will often go exploring in these old buildings for a sense of first-hand history. (This is against the rules though so keep that in mind!)

Bang for the buck

Lets face it. Universities in the US are expensive. Why? Its hard to say. CSUMB is one of the least expensive universities in the California State University system. In exchange for lower tuition price, you may not have amenities such as a greek row, massive sports teams and stadiums, or amazing parties. However, you still have a dedicated staff, multiple resources for self-improvement and a beautiful experience with nature on the coast of California.

What to do for fun

Nature enthusiasts, rejoice! CSUMB is located a mere half an hour away from the breathtaking Big Sur State Park and the world-famous Highway 1 scenic route. Those who love hiking, exploring nature, magnificent displays of marine life, or simply beautiful sunsets, this would be a great place for you. Those looking for raging parties on greek row may be looking at the wrong university. CSUMB has a much more relaxed, laid back pace compared to other urban universities. There is an incredible amount of history to see in Monterey as well as beautiful scenery. For the student who can enjoy a little peace and quiet on a foggy day, CSUMB is right up your alley!

Food and Dining

Food options are minimal at CSUMB. Most students at this university laugh when they think of other universities that have multiple restaurants, pubs, sushi bars etc. There are minimal places to receive food at CSUMB, and often people complain about the low quality of food that is offered. The options may seem plentiful upon first arriving, but most students quickly grow a distaste for the main dining hall (nicknamed the DC). There is a student restaurant that provides higher quality food for a higher price, as well as the Otter Express which provides quick, on-the-go items.

Dorm Life

All dorm rooms have their own bathroom in the freshmen dorms (no communal bathrooms!) Dorms are structured around a central campus quad, assuring that you will be meeting plenty of new people upon arrival. Freshmen dorms have little privacy (as expected in dorm life), but the housing is centrally located on campus, requiring very little walking time to get to the library, student center, dining commons, and classrooms. Upper-classmen dorms (named North Quad) are very nice, miniature-apartment styled housing with four bedrooms and two bathrooms. Living in North Quad was a fun experience and a much higher sense of independence compared to freshmen dorms!

Academic Rigor

Courses can be quite challenging depending on the major that you choose. Most courses are able to be completed with a relative amount of studying and dedication. Upper division classes place more emphasis on single assignments, whereas lower division courses can be much easier. The university has a very well established program called ASAP, which is a tutoring center for all students for any subjects, as well as a generally dedicated staff working for optimal student success.

Tips for prospective students

This school is very quiet and has a small student population. There are not nearly as many students or recreational facilities compared to other universities. Life at CSUMB provides a unique college experience rather than the classic image of what one considers to be a college experience. As a prospective student, it is recommended that you pursue a degree in science (environmental science, environmental studies, biology, marine biology) as this university has a renowned program for these majors. While small and intimate, this university is great for those who love moments of silence to themselves within a beautiful natural area. A key bit of advice is that it can be difficult to transfer from CSUMB to other universities due to a unique academic structure.

In three sentences

CSUMB is a small university located in a beautiful area. Surrounded by beautiful terrestrial and marine ecosystems with unpredictable weather. The renovation of the Fort Ord Military Base into a university is sure to provide a unique perception of college campus.

Healthy and yummy options, always available. Plus you can use your meal plans at Starbucks!

Dorm Life

My floormates and I became bestfriends within the first couple nights. Everyone hangs out with the people in their dorms. You can be as loud as you want. Everyone is so friendly

Academic Rigor

Manageable, but if you want all A's, you need to put a lot of time in.

Tips for prospective students

Be ready to have an open mind. Don't just sit and watch Netflix all day.

In three sentences

I absolutely love it here. You learn so much more than you would ever expect and can still have a great time as long as you are open to learning. If you want to drink all day and be fratty or take selfies... PLEASE DONT COME HERE.

Mitchell from Salinas, CA

The school has it's own dining area, with random chefs that come around and cook particular foods-only open during breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They also have a little snack shack that you can go to, that's open throughout the day.

Dorm Life

The dorms have two types of housing, on school(somewhat expensive) and right by the campus. They're both relatively nice. Parties, are further away from the campus, since the police station is by the main dorms.

Academic Rigor

The classes are good depending on the teacher, like every school. They're can be a hit or miss. Some I feel are a waist, but are needed to graduate. Although, majority of the classes I've taken were/are entertaining and resourceful.

Tips for prospective students

Stay in school. Be on time, and do your work.

In three sentences

CSU-Monterey Bay is a great school. The school size is still currently growing, and creating a bigger community for students. CSUMB is working on creating a stronger program for computer science and informational technology, if interested.

I think based on what you pay for, it's a good invest. There's a lot of resources.

What to do for fun

There's a beach that is a 30 minutes walk from the school. There's also stores down the street that would also take a 20-30 minute walk. There are activities sometimes on campus, but you usually don't see too many students outside unless it's a really sunny day and the weather is extremely weird here. With your tuition, though, you can get free transportation through the buses so you can go wherever you want. Even to San Jose and back for free.

Food and Dining

Food is good at first, but you will get tired of it eventually. There's also Starbucks and Peet's, so that'll help you with all of your finals.

Dorm Life

Dorm life is pretty fun. Mostly everyone is accepting, so you'll most likely become good friends with your roommates. I recommend not living in a single dorm.

Academic Rigor

There is a lot of homework sometimes and sometimes not. It really just depends on what classes you take. The professors will help you though.

Tips for prospective students

My tip for a prospective student would be that if you're fine with coming to a small school, then this is a good choice. Also, being accepting is great as well. If you're having trouble with anything, there are many resources here so don't be worried.

In three sentences

California State University of Monterey Bay is a school is very accepting and diverse. The professors actually care about the students and help them out in any way that they can. It's a small college, but it is also cheap, and a great choice.

Alison from Victorville, CA

12/23/2014

Reviewer is A current student here.

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Campus Safety

To be honest, we have had about four report sexual assaults in this first semester. We always have ambulances or fire trucks on campus almost every day for some sort of reason, and those blue poles around school that we are supposed to press if we don't feel safe or if we're in trouble? Most of them don't work. But it's a calm school, you just have to be safe and take care of yourself properly.

Greek Life

I don't know much myself about the Greek Life on campus. I know that we don't really have any national Greeks that other schools have. Our Kappa Sigmas get a lot of crap about certain allegations against them. Also, a lot of our sororities and frats will say they are diverse in race and ethnicity but they don't really prove it.

Clubs and Activities

I am in two clubs at CSUMB which are the Performing Otters and Otter Improv. we also have many other clubs such as the Sailing Club or League of Smashers for those who love Super Smash Bros. The clubs are primarily student run so if you notice we don't have a club for people who love chips, you can make a club for people who love chips! It's really awesome.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

Since CSUMB is located on the old Fort Ord barracks, students sometimes (illegally) like to go through the barracks at night as something we like to call Ording. There's also an abandoned pool full of graffiti and street art which is beautiful in it's own way.

What to do for fun

The campus is located in a small community. We have the beach and a shopping center located about a 15-30 minute walk from school, as well as the Del Monte Shopping Center which is two-bus ride trip away. On campus we also have the Black Box Cabaret (BBC) which sometimes puts on performances or dances, which are usually free for students or might come with $2 buy-in at the door. The fun is usually what you make it yourself so be creative and be safe!

The dorms are pretty quiet on the weekend. There isn't a big party life on campus and it's a pretty clean community. For the first week, doors tend to be open so that people can meet and find friends, which is really fun to say hi to your neighbors and make friends who you can cook pancakes with on Sundays. They have been turning singles into doubles and doubles into triples and so forth to accommodate incoming students since the school is kind of expanding. Some rooms are pretty packed but some people are lucky to be put into Super Quads or even get put in North Quad for housing.

Academic Rigor

I am a freshman who just finished her first semester of college so I don't have much experience in the school's academic rigor. However, I always had homework for at least one class every night. My classes were pretty easy-going and simple but that always depends on the professor that you have.

Tips for prospective students

Any prospective students should definitely bring rain boots and comfortable walking shoes. The beach is about a 15-minute walk from campus which is awesome but you have to be prepared to climb up a dune before reaching the water. The dorms are a bit small and packed since the school has been turning doubles into triples or triples into quads to accommodate the incoming students. You really have to plan your space and storage well. Also, once you find out who your roommates are, start talking to them via email/text/facebook so you guys can set up some ground rules and get to know each other before move-in!

In three sentences

It's a fairly small school which is great since it allows you to really get to know your peers and professors. We have a great setup with free bus rides with MST and free laundry in the dorms, and that's because it's already part of our tuition but you get your money's worth! The campus is relatively quiet on the weekends and there isn't a big party life; the school gets a lot of crap but I like it.

Current CSUMB Student

I fee that the campus offers a great safety patrol for its students. Pathways are lighted, campus police make themselves visible and overall I think it is a safe campus to be on.

Clubs and Activities

The campus has many options that you can select from. The best way to gather more information on what is available is to visit the school website or request a school brochure.

What to do for fun

For fun....you have many options in my opinion. Besides the activities offered on campus, the intramural sports and other outdoor recreations, it just depends on what you want to do to have fun. The beach is in walking distance, and if that not enough, you can hop on public transportation and head down to Cannery Row for an afternoon, or old town Monterey for some sightseeing. You also have your occasional party that is offered by the clubs on campus, or you can just hang out with a group of friends. If you cannot find anything FUN to do, you are not looking because there is plenty.

Food and Dining

The campus offers a good variety of food and dining options for students. From the DC (dining commons) to the Otter Express and Monty's...you get a good selection, good value for the money and many tasty treats. Also, for those late nights when you are up working late studying and need that caffeine jolt, you can always stop by Starbucks to get what you need. And to think all these options are just a quick walk/jog across campus.

Dorm Life

What can I say...dorm life is great! I am glad to have the opportunity to be in the dorms and not in off campus housing. You meet so many different people and the resident advisor assigned to the buildings are awesome. Could not have asked for a better group of people in the dorm I am housed in.

Academic Rigor

It is certainly different than High School that's for sure. You are at the next level for education expectations and that will enable you to acquire skills that you can apply in a variety of ways throughout life. Although you are at liberty to set your own schedule, you are also held to higher expectations from your professors. Coursework is challenging and you have to be motivated.

Tips for prospective students

It is always good idea to check out different campus that have your choice of major/study. But once you visit and tour the campus of CSU Monterey Bay and see what it has to offer for prospective students, meet the staff and fellow students you will in no doubt want to make this your school of choice. I would also suggest checking out the local surrounding areas.

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